Oral and Traditional History Project

The Oral And Traditional History Project is based on a scoping report completed in 2014 by Tracey Kingi in consultation with Te Hono and whānau/hapū/iwi.

The project combines four reports with tino rangatiratanga being the common thread. The expression of this principle is fundamental to Ngāti Raukawa and its relationship with the Crown.

The reports will look at notions of identity within Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kauwhata and Te Reureu, key relationships, whakapapa, economic and political alliances, marriages and how these contributed to the maintenance of tino rangatiratanga.

This project will be managed by Te Hono including the contracting of all researchers, supporters and administration support. The project was launched in January and will be completed in early 2017.

The report will be supervised by Professor Whatarangi Winiata and Tā Taihākurei Edward Durie. The supervisors will work with 11 Ngāti Raukawa researchers to ensure completion of the report. Ngā Pūkenga will provide additional support in the performance of monitoring and quality assurance responsibilities.

This will be a significant report with four key sections:

1. Origins and Establishment of Ngāti RaukawaThis section will cover the origins of the hapū/iwi of Ngāti Raukawa following the various heke into the district and their experiences as they settled the area. The report will examine the themes of whakapapa, heke, expeditions and settlement by the Iwi in the takiwā.

Whakapapa

Key whakapapa lines of the hapū and iwi of Ngāti Raukawa;

Intra-relationships of the hapū and iwi, significant marriages, common ventures and expeditions including to Te Waipounamu, external boundary relationships and wider regional relationships;

Te ira tangata me te ira wāhine: the distinctive roles of men and women in establishing the mana of Ngāti Raukawa with some redress of the written record by reference to wāhine rangatira.

Heke, Expeditions and Settlement (1800-1860)

The origin and early history of Ngāti Raukawa of Manawatū, Horowhenua and Kāpiti, the migrations to the district, the initial settlements, the constituent hapū and iwi, their separate and joint activities in possessing the land, their joint ventures and expeditions, and their subsequent aggregation, dispersal and relocation in different parts of the takiwā.

The key historical events that impacted on ownership rights in the takiwā of the hapū and iwi.

Inter-tribal warfare in the 1820s and 1830s and its effect on the balance of power and ownership rights for Ngāti Raukawa and their neighbours through to the mid-nineteenth century.

Inter-tribal marriages, discussions of tatau pounamu and the effect on stabilising iwi and whakapapa ties. The role of wāhine rangatira and the retention of whakapapa lines.

​This project will be completed by Dr Te Ahūkaramū Royal and Dr Arini Loader and is scheduled for completion by the middle of the year.

2. Hapū/iwi Narratives and MapsThe second report will produce short narratives (6,000-10,000 words), mapping and photos for each of the 25 hapū/iwi of Te Reureu, Ngāti Kauwhata and Ngāti Raukawa in a suitable publication. In a snapshot, readers will be able to identify the traditional takiwā of the hapū/iwi, their key whakapapa lines, the resources they once held, pepehā, sites of significance, rangatira of the 19th – 20th century, present day locations and marae, with supporting maps, whakapapa maps and photos.

The 25 hapū/iwi included in the incorporation arrangements of Te Rūnanga o Raukawa Inc are each invited to form a hapū/iwi research team that will prepare the narratives, which will be up to 20 pages in length.

The key themes identified in the 2014 consultation process for inclusion in the report are listed:

Prominent leadership of Te Rauparaha, Te Whatanui and others

Movement of whānau throughout the district and defining stories of the marae

The production of maps to compliment and illustrate the hapū profiles is a key output of the Hapū Profiles project. The final output will be a collection of maps and narratives of A3 size plates.

A team including Wally Penetito, Dr Fiona Te Momo and Manurere Devonshire will work closely with hapū research teams to develop individual research plans, identify sources, gather evidence and prepare a narrative with maps for inclusion in the final report.

Te Hono has secured limited funding to support hapū/iwi research expenses.

3. Ngāti Raukawa Institutions and Ecosystem​Themes identified for inclusion in the report are:

The adoption of Christianity by Māori ahead of the arrival of missionaries to the area;

The role of the Christian Missionary Society and missionaries, their influence and involvement within Manawatū, Horowhenua and Kāpiti;

The presence of Te Rauparaha, Te Whatanui and other rangatira on the land. The relocation of Ngāti Rangatahi. The building of Rangiātea Church.

The establishment of the Ōtaki Māori Racing Club, the Ōtaki & Porirua Trusts Board, the Ōtaki Māori Boys’ College and the Ōtaki Hospital.

Rebuilding of marae, the establishment of the Raukawa Marae Trustees, the establishment of Raukawa Marae in 1936 as a marae for all the hapū and iwi of the Confederation of Te Ātiawa, Raukawa and Toarangatira.

The Ngāti Raukawa contribution to the First and Second World Wars, retention of land during these wars, the establishment of the Māori Battalion Memorial Hall in Palmerston North, the contribution to sustaining whānau during times of conflict and peace.

Urbanisation, the loss of papakainga, the diaspora, housing schemes, housing loans and pepper-potting

Since the mid-1960s we have seen the redevelopment of all marae across Te Reureu, Ngāti Kauwhata and Ngāti Raukawa through whānau/hapū and iwi becoming more unified. This aspect of kotahitanga meant they came together to learn from each other and to give assistance to one another. An understanding of the history of the Confederation and its capacity to unite is important for our future. The experience of Ngāti Toarangatira and their model of kotahitanga can be an example for Ngāti Raukawa. We can also draw on our lengthy experience in acting together post-Treaty.

In the last three years this work has been extended in a new initiative, the Ngāti Raukawa Ecosystem. This initiative explores the potential of Ngāti Raukawa to act as a sustainable ecosystem in which all of the parties on balance make positive contributions to the system or in this instance, to the confederation of hapū/iwi.

Iwi historian Piripi Walker and Dr Petina Winiata will be completing this study.

4. The Denial and Maintenance of Tino Rangatiratanga: Ngāti RaukawaThe overall theme of the Oral and Traditional History Report is that the post-European history of Ngāti Raukawa is marked by the loss of tino rangatiratanga despite ongoing endeavours to maintain it.

The report will articulate the Ngāti Raukawa definition of tino rangatiratanga and will explore a purely Ngāti Raukawa definition and not what someone else’s is. The premise to be investigated is that tino rangatiratanga is the philosophical glue that enables the society to function and survive. It is a set of rules that all abide by to ensure a viable society. Tino rangatiratanga is much more than a political power - it runs far deeper than that.

This report will summarise the findings of the other three reports based on the following topics:

The opposition to denial of tino rangatiratanga and Iwi commitment to its restoration and strengthening. The constitutional arrangements.

The impact of European settlement and engagement with the Crown on the balance of power and ownership rights in natural resources (including but not limited to spectrum, water and land)

Ngāti Raukawa determination to survive as a people to 2040, 3000 and beyond.

Common identity: the Confederation of Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, its governance and leadership structures including the current ecosystem

This final chapter will bring together the key findings of the earlier chapters of the Oral And Traditional Report. Ani Mikaere has agreed to support Professor Whatarangi Winiata to complete this project on behalf of Te Hono ki Raukawa. Hiria Green will provide research support.

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